What
Causes Leaders to Change? - Choice, Chance or Crisis
As
the story goes, some people make things happen, some have
things happen to them and others just say 'What happened?'.
But
when things happen, changes follow. If you think about it,
there are probably three main drivers behind most of the changes
we face in business, and in much of life: Choice, Chance and
Crisis.
Choice:
Some
people and some organisations choose to change in a way and
at a time of their own making. They have prepared for the
change, explored all their options and probably even created
a specific climate in which their intended change is most
likely to be successful. They choose to change.
Chance:
For
others, luck has more to do with their decision to change
something. Perhaps an unusual event, a chance meeting, or
a decision by someone else, has created the circumstances
which encouraged a change. An opportunity has fallen in their
lap, but at least they recognised it and capitalised on it.
Crisis:
For
a third group, an impending crisis is the only thing which
will cause any change. Their experience of change is rarely
positive because of their reluctance to recognise risks or
opportunities early enough to prepare and make the best of
a situation. By the time this group considers change, they
have little choice and few options.
How
do you approach change? Think about whether you tend to change
through choice, chance or crisis. Are you waiting for a crisis
before you make inevitable changes? Are you actively looking
for opportunities? Are you exploring all your options, and
planning and preparing to change by choice?
(More
ideas on change in the Quick Tips below)
Quote
of Note
"Change
is usually what we want the other person to do."
Louise
L Hay
Change
Quick Tips
- Good
l eaders are more likely to choose to change. You can develop
the skill of changing by choice if you wish to do so.
- Practise
'change by choice' on some of the small things in your life.
Choose something different for breakfast, travel to work
a different way, or listen to another style of music for
a week.
- Think
about how you felt when you chose to change. Were you more
willing to experiment? Did you put some effort into making
the right choice? Did it help to know you could always choose
to change again?
- Make
some serious changes. Think about what you are just tolerating
in your life. What planning and preparation can you make
to help you change successfully?
- For
more ideas on how to create a sense of urgency for change
in your organization see the article Making
Changes Stick at our blog.
Copyright
© Kerrie Mullins-Gunst
Kerrie Mullins-Gunst is an expert in all the knowledge, skills, attitudes and
behaviours you need to mentor, manage and lead your people, and one of Australia's
leading mentors, planning facilitators and female business speakers. For your
free Top Leadership Tips Workbook and other resources or to listen to her podcast,
visit http://leadershipskillcenter.com or call her on 61-3-9859 3924.
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